Abstract: An apparatus for generating acoustic pressure pulses in an acoustic medium has a membrane that can be driven which adjoins the acoustic medium and which is driven in an impact-producing manner. The membrane is mechanically pre-stressed so that it returns into its initial position after a pressure pulse is generated.

Abstract: An acoustic pressure pulse generator has a pressure pulse source in the form of a concussively driveable membrane, the membrane limiting a volume within the generator which contains a liquid acoustic propagation medium, the generator also having a wall therein spaced from the membrane, the wall dividing the volume into two sub-volumes. The acoustic propagation medium is circulated through an inlet in one of the sub-volumes and an outlet in the other sub-volume, with the two sub-volumes being in fluid communication via a flow restrictor through which the acoustic propagation medium flows. The restrictive effect of the flow restrictor is dimensioned so that the acoustic propagation medium contained in the sub-volume between the wall and the membrane is maintained at a pressure for effecting return of the membrane to its initial position after the membrane has been concussively driven.

Abstract: An extracorporeal lithotriptor has a shock wave head which includes a shock wave generator which generates shock waves to disintegrate calculi in situ, and components for coupling the generated shock wave to the patient. The lithotriptor also includes an x-ray system for locating a calculus to be disintegrated. The x-radiator for the x-ray system and the shock wave head are arranged relative to each other so that a central x-ray of the x-ray system proceeds substantially centrally through the shock wave head. The shock wave head can be arranged either at the housing of the primary radiation diaphragm for the x-ray system, or in front of the input luminescent screen of an x-ray image intensifier. The shock wave head has a central region which is penetrated by x-rays and which does not attenuate the x-rays.

Abstract: A lithotripsy work station having a patient support table and an adjustable mounting arrangement for the shockwave generator which has a coupling chamber with a membrane for coupling the shockwave generator to the patient characterized by the mounting arrangement positioning the shockwave generator directly above the patient supporting table. The shockwave generator can be mounted by a holder which rotates around a vertical axis above the patient supporting table so that a longitudinal axis of the generator can be aligned to intersect with the vertical axis roughly through the center of the patient supporting table. The mounting means can also be a separate holder which is movable in a horizontal direction that is secured to a ceiling in the room or is on a unit movable on the floor. In each of the embodiments, the shockwave generator can be mounted by an adjustable mechanism that allows changing the angle between the vertical axis and the longitudinal axis of the generator.